The environment in which people inhabit plays a significant role in their culture. Perhaps it is the central element of their culture. The people of any particular place on the planet have spent thousands of years adapting to their environment, using the resources as part of their life. I think it is important to sustain biodiversity because it is directly related to cultural diversity. However, the importance of cultural diversity is most likely viewed differently in different places.
The roots of any civilization are heavily reliant on the environment that civilization takes place in. The food, clothes, customs, and even language revolve around the natural environment. Coastal civilizations are more likely to eat fish regularly than a landlocked, desert civilization. People living in hot, dry environments must have proper coverings in order to protect their skin. The Inuit peoples of Alaska have several words for the English word “snow.” A civilization that does not see much snow would not have as many words in their language for snow as the Inuit peoples do. Overall, it is evident that the environment anyone lives in plays a large role in their culture. I believe that it is important to sustain this biological and cultural diversity because it creates a sense of identity and helps us learn from each other. Different cultures will approach different situations in a multitude of ways, and it’s important to see how situations can be approached differently than your own viewpoint.
Some people may believe that having one universal language would allow us to be more in harmony with each other. I disagree. We will always find a way to not be at peace with others, but threatening the cultures of others does not solve this. It would merely move us closer and closer to being narrow-minded and unable to see different viewpoints and approaches. Governments should strive to keep their national biological emblems alive because it gives a small snapshot of what it’s like to live in a particular environment and the adversity and successes that have come out of the environment. It also helps promote tourism. It gives a reason for people to travel and see something different than what they are used to, thus leading to a more interconnected world without having to compromise culture.
The roots of any civilization are heavily reliant on the environment that civilization takes place in. The food, clothes, customs, and even language revolve around the natural environment. Coastal civilizations are more likely to eat fish regularly than a landlocked, desert civilization. People living in hot, dry environments must have proper coverings in order to protect their skin. The Inuit peoples of Alaska have several words for the English word “snow.” A civilization that does not see much snow would not have as many words in their language for snow as the Inuit peoples do. Overall, it is evident that the environment anyone lives in plays a large role in their culture. I believe that it is important to sustain this biological and cultural diversity because it creates a sense of identity and helps us learn from each other. Different cultures will approach different situations in a multitude of ways, and it’s important to see how situations can be approached differently than your own viewpoint.
Some people may believe that having one universal language would allow us to be more in harmony with each other. I disagree. We will always find a way to not be at peace with others, but threatening the cultures of others does not solve this. It would merely move us closer and closer to being narrow-minded and unable to see different viewpoints and approaches. Governments should strive to keep their national biological emblems alive because it gives a small snapshot of what it’s like to live in a particular environment and the adversity and successes that have come out of the environment. It also helps promote tourism. It gives a reason for people to travel and see something different than what they are used to, thus leading to a more interconnected world without having to compromise culture.